The Genius of Britain Episode 2 - The Chemical Brothers

Today on Far Future Horizon we will present the second episode of the acclaimed documentary series titled “The Genius of Britain”.

The second instalment of this landmark series is titled “The Chemical Brothers: How Science Created the Industrial Revolution”. This episode looks at the scientific spark that ignited the Industrial Revolution in Britain.

James Dyson tells the story of how a young James Watt was inspired to perfect the steam engine that would change the world forever.

Jim Al-Khalili explains how Joseph Priestley, a clergyman with a fascination for gases, discovered the very air we breathe and started a craze for soda water.

David Attenborough talks about his hero Joseph Banks, the great naturalist who sailed to the South Seas and founded Kew Gardens on his return.

And Robert Winston reveals the extraordinary story of John Hunter, surgeon, anatomist... and body-snatcher.


Britain may indeed be only a small island, but it is an island of colossal intellects. Its great scientists, engineers and inventors have literally created the modern world: from the invention of the steam engine, computers and the world-wide web to the discovery of the theory of evolution and the atom.

In this five-part series some of Britain's leading scientific figures - Stephen Hawking, Richard Dawkins, James Dyson, David Attenborough, Robert Winston, Paul Nurse, Jim Al-Khalili, Kathy Sykes and Olivia Judson - tell the stories of the people behind these innovations.

The Genius of Britain and its companion book are both available from Amazon. 

The Genius of Britain Episode 2 - The Chemical Brothers: How Science Created the Industrial Revolution



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